Arissa Balaban
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, in Psychology, with a minor in Education, from the University of California Santa Cruz (2008)
MA in Special Education (Mild/Moderate), from Santa Clara University (continuing)
Early Childhood Education Permit, from Santa Barbara City College (continuing)
Experience:
Tutoring: I have been a private tutor for the past 12 years. I have taught all subjects for grades k-12, specializing in math and science. I have served as a tutor for college courses as well, including but not limited to: math, English, religion, politics, and American Sign Language.
Business Owner: I currently own and run my own business, Imaginative Tutors. We serve as academic advisers for students needing tutoring services, as well as educational consultants for special needs students and their families. We specialize in Autism, Language Delays, ADD, and ADHD. We also create our own AAC devices for students that are specific to the child’s/adult’s needs and abilities. You can check out my website at: http://tutors.yolasite.com
Home-school teacher: I have been a home-school teacher for the past 4 years. I have worked with children ages 4-8 to meet the California State Standards for their grade level. As a result, I have taught math, writing, reading, science, and history. Two of these children would have qualified for IEP’s if they were to attend public schools, one for Severe Autism, and one for Dyslexia. I worked with the families and the schools to create my own curriculum and lesson plans to best meet each of these children’s special needs. In the course of this work, I have gained experience with RDI, ENKI, Floortime, ABA, and Son Rise Program
Teacher’s aide: I worked for 3 years in a special day kindergarten/first grade classroom. In this environment I taught lessons in math, writing, reading and movement programs. I have also worked as an aide in all grades from pre-k through middle school.
One-on-one instructor/ behavioral coach: I am currently working at Beacon School, working with emotionally disturbed and autistic children in an alternative classroom. I create curriculum and lesson plans to build social and anger management skills as well as work to increase educational and life skills.
Camp Activities Director: : I worked for 3 summers at Kennolyn Day Camp as an assistant, and eventually, as director of their ropes course. In this position I was responsible for the safety and care of multiple children, ranging in ages from kindergarten to high school. I was in charge of creating, teaching, and implementing a variety of different activities.
Substitute Teacher: I have been a substitute teacher for grades Pre-K – 8 in both a private and Public School Setting.
Gymnastics Instructor: I have taught beginning gymnastics to children ages 4-9.
Occupational Therapy Intern: I am currently interning at a pediatric occupational therapy office. Here I am learning techniques for: handwriting (handwriting without tears), sensory integration, and fine/gross motor skills.
Languages:
· I am a native English speaker.
· I am American Sign Language Proficient.
· I have a basic working knowledge of Spanish (written and spoken).
· I have a background in Hebrew and I am willing to relearn the language.
Related Course Work:
· I have completed over 90 quarter units of education classes including special education courses and early childhood education classes.
· I have completed 2 independent study courses involving the creation of a special needs curriculum and the differences of implication in a private and public school setting.
· In addition to education classes, I have completed psychology courses specializing in cultural development, children’s thinking, and an HCI (Human Computer Interaction) class, where I created an Augmented Alternative Communication device (AAC) that could theoretically be implemented in a classroom setting. I also completed a class in social influence, which studied the control and implementation of power within a group setting.
· I have completed a semester of sign language and am planning on getting my interpretation certification.
Tests:
· I have completed and passed the GRE, CBEST, CSET, and Constitution Exams.
· I am currently certified for General First Aid.
· I am infant/child CPR Certified.
Computer Skills:
· I am capable of working with both Microsoft and Macintosh operating systems.
· I am skilled in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for both systems.
Honors and publications:
· I was a high school honors student.
· I graduated with honors in Psychology, and Honors in my college at UCSC.
· I have one poem published
· I am currently seeking to publish 3 children books, 1 social story, and 4 young adult novels.
Activities:
· I have played competitive sports in middle school and high school, including: Field Hockey, Cross Country, soccer, tennis, and badminton (as team captain).
· I have my PADA scuba diving certification
· I participate in recreational activities such as: skydiving, rock climbing, ATV riding, hiking, snowboarding, and waterskiing.
· I volunteer at the Easton Pennsylvania YMCA as well as the Silicon Valley Duck Race as the organizations mascot, Ducky.
· I have been trained as a birthday clown, and have learned to make balloon animals and shapes.
